What is Your Dream Job?

Whether you're looking for your first career or you're a seasoned professional looking to change career paths it is essential to determine what is your dream job.

This question is one of the most important interview questions of all time.

Not only will your answer impact your interview, but knowing what your dream job is will set you up for success throughout your entire career.

Do some research

It’s surprising how few people can answer the question, “What is your dream job?” There is not a right and wrong answer to this question since it is primarily an opinion. Your dream job may not be the same as someone else’s, but that doesn’t make it wrong.

The first thing you need to do is determine your dream job. This does not have to be a position that you think you would qualify for right now. Figure out what your dream job is and then work backward to find a suitable job that will get you where you want to be. Once you have done that, you can begin applying for jobs based on the positions that are in line with your dream job.

Stay relevant

It’s important when you are applying for jobs that you stay relevant. If your dream job is to become a doctor, but you are applying for a sales position, that is not the best move to make.

The sales manager interviewing you is going to be skeptical that you won’t be happy at work when they know you want to be a doctor. Don’t just apply to jobs to get any old job. It is going to take you more time, in the long run, to find your dream job if you are settling for less.

Figure out what is your dream job and then research what it takes to get there.

Show off your ambition

Don’t sell yourself short. Your dream job should be something that might take a few years to achieve. This depends on your current career level, but for most, you are still looking to climb the corporate ladder.

Even if your dream job is something that you won't be qualified to do for another 10 or 20 years, it is great to have such long-term goals. Your next employer will love to hear how ambitious you are.

The same goes when answering the question Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years. Don’t confuse ambition with arrogance. Saying that you are going to be running the company in a couple of years or taking somebody else’s position is probably not the best idea.

Add some technicalities

Here are some tips that many people believe to be helpful when being asked what is your dream job in an interview.

Do not mention a specific job title. Instead, focus your answer on the qualities and tasks that this job would be responsible for.

If your dream job is many years away, mention that you do not expect to receive your dream job right away and that you understand it can take many years of hard work and dedication to get to where you want to be.

Do not lie and say that the current job you are applying for is your dream job. If it is, you should set higher goals for yourself.

Stay relevant! Saying a dream job that is completely unrelated to the job you are applying for might give your employer the impression that you will one day leave this job for another.

Take your time answering this question. No employer will punish you for taking a couple minutes to gather your thoughts.

Relate your dream job to the job you are applying for and express how this job will help you accomplish your dream. If the job is unrelated, you probably shouldn’t be applying. Don’t settle!

Sample answer

"From birth, I have always been an animal lover. I like to make animals happy and find valid solutions to any problems that they are having. I thrive in environments that give me the opportunity to work using my problem-solving skills to provide them with the care they need.

My dream job would be in a workplace where I was able to do this and work with animals as much as possible."

Notice how I never mentioned a job title. I kept it open as to not eliminate myself from any great position that is not the exact title I mentioned.

I hope this was helpful! If you need any extra help with interview training give us a call today or check out Find My Profession for all your interviewing needs.

The FMP Contributor

The FMP Contributor is the daily publication of Find My Profession. Your #1 career advice resource.

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